Cleaning mitt

ABSTRACT

A cleaning mitt with a main mitt and a cleaning overlay sleeve. The main mitt has an identical front and rear panels to allow for left handed or right handed use. The main mitt has one portion for four fingers to reside and one portion for the thumb to reside. The main mitt is constructed of flexible water resistant material and includes an inner layer of moisture absorbent fabric. The main mitt includes anti slip members adhered to both sides of the thumb portion. The cleaning overlay sleeve has an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for let handed or right handed use. The cleaning overlay sleeve has a cut away portion allowing the thumb portion of the main mitt to extend through the cleaning overlay sleeve. Cleaning sleeve is includes abrasive material bonded to it.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional patent application No. 61/463,565

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices andmore specifically to a cleaning mitt having a plurality of cleaningsleeve overlays.

Mitts for covering a user's hands are well known. They generally includea main portion for holding four fingers and a second portion forretaining the user's thumb. Various mitts and gloves have been developedto be used for use in various cleaning activities.

However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that none ofthe prior designs allows the user to use a single mitt with a pluralityof different cleaning overlay sleeves that slide over the main mitt andcan be used by a left or right handed person. Additionally, none of theprior designs include a non slip member located on the thumb portion ofthe mitt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt thatallows the user to quickly install a cleaning overlay sleeve onto a mittmember.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt thatincludes an anti slip layer adhered to both sides of the thumb portionof the mitt.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt where thecleaning overlays have cleaning surfaces on both the front and rearsides making the mitt suitable for both left and right handed people.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt wherethe main mitt member is made of water resistant material.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt wherethe main mitt includes an inner moisture absorbent layer.

Another object of the invention is to provide where the main cleaningoverlay sleeve has abrasive material attached to it, and where othercleaning sleeves perform such functions as soap application, polishingand sanding.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a cleaning mitt comprising: a main mitt and a cleaning overlaysleeve, said main mitt having an identical front panel and rear panel toallow for left handed or right handed use, said front and rear main mittpanels joined at their perimeter on three sides leaving an opening atthe bottom, said main mitt having one portion for four fingers to resideand one portion for the thumb to reside, said main mitt constructed offlexible water resistant material, said main mitt including an innerlayer of moisture absorbent fabric, said main mitt including anti slipmembers adhered to both sides of said thumb portion, said cleaningoverlay sleeve having an identical front panel and rear panel to allowfor left handed or right handed use, and said cleaning overlay sleevehaving a cut away portion allowing said thumb portion of said main mittto extend through said cleaning overlay sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main mitt and an overlay sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of the main mitt and an overlay sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an abrasive overlay sleeve.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one version of an abrasive overlay sleeve.

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the abrasive overlay sleeve

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front plan view of the invention. Anoverlay sleeve 8 is removably attached to a main mitt 2. The sleeve 8has a cut out portion 22 that allows the thumb portion 4 of the mainmitt 2 to extend through the cut out portion 22. The overlay sleeve 8 ismade of a front panel 10 and a rear panel 20 as shown in FIG. 2. In thisfirst embodiment of a cleaning sleeve, the front and rear panels 10, 20are made of a sheet of cellulose sponge material. A panel 12 of flexibleabrasive sheet material such as Scotchbrite made by 3M corporation. isfixedly adhered to the top portion of the overlay sleeve 8 so that theuser can use the main portion of the sleeve 8 for applying soap to anobject such as pot, pan, tray or dish. The present invention allows aperson to more easily clean a large quantity of items without gettingones hands wet or stained, and also provides a larger cleaning surfacearea than can normally be held in ones hand when using a conventionalsponge or abrasive cleaning pad. During use, the tip of the user'sfingers can apply full pressure to the top area of the abrasive pad 12for a more effective cleaning action than can be obtained by thestandard act of physically holding a cleaning pad between one's thumband forefinger. In the preferred embodiment, the top most portion of theoverlay sleeve is flat to allow for easy folding of the abrasive pad 12as it is attached to the front and rear sponge sheet material 10, 20.The thumb portion 4 of the main mitt 2 includes an anti slip member 6that is made of a high sticktion flexible material such as a lowdurometer thermo-elastomeric plastic, and includes ridges or bumps tofurther increase its gripping power. A standard fastener such as a hookand loop fastener or a snap fastener, shown by dotted lines 26,removably attaches the overlay sleeve 8 to the main glove 2 and preventsit from sliding during use.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the rear sponge portion 20 and abrasivesheet portion 18 of the invention. The rear portion 20 and abrasivesheet version 18 is an identical mirror image of the front portion 10and 12. Additionally, the thumb portion 4 includes non slip member 16,so that the user can use the present invention in a left handed or righthanded manner. Main mitt panel 2A and oversleeve panel 20 also include astandard fastener as shown by dotted line 15.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mitt 2 and first oversleeve 8. Thecutout area 22 oversleeve 8 can be clearly seen. An unobstructed view ofthe main mitt 2 can also be seen. The oversleeve 8 can be easily slippedonto main mitt 2 and the thumb portion 4 can be pulled through thecutout area 22 in the oversleeve 8.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of the invention as defined by the sectionline 50 shown in FIG. 1. The main mitt 2 includes a flexible waterresistant outer layer 2, 2A and inner, moisture absorbing inner layer2B, 2C such as terrycloth. Both layers are joined at the perimeter seam24. The first oversleeve embodiment is shown where sponge panels 10, 20form the outer layer and an abrasive pad members 12, 18 are formed ofone panel and cover the top most portion of the invention so that theuser can get efficiency and cleaning power from the abrasive pad members12, 16. Standard fasteners 14, 15, such as a snap fastener or a hook andloop fastener, can be clearly seen.

FIG. 5 shows a second and preferred embodiment of an overlay sleeve 60.This embodiment includes a surface of stainless steel filament panels68, 70, 72. and a mirror image set of panels 62, 64, 66 on the oppositeside, so that the sleeve 60 can be used in either a left handed or righthanded manner. Flexible panel 90 joins the stainless steel filamentpanels 68, 70, 72 so that the user can flex his or her hand while usingthe mitt assembly of the present invention. Of course, a version of theover sleeve 60 can be envisioned where the stainless steel completelycovers the front and rear surfaces and are sewn or otherwise adhered toa flexible underlayer sheet material.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe oversleeve 60 as described above. The oversleeve 60 is comprised ofmirror image two sides, 60A, 60B. Referring to side 60A, stainless steelmembers 68, 70, 72 are adhered by adhesive or by rivets to shell members76, 78, 80 which are made of thin rigid molded plastic such as ABS.Plastic shell members 76, 78, 80 are adhered to flexible fabric member90. The same construction holds true for the opposite side 60B. Thisconfiguration allows the user to apply full pressure to the stainlesscovered rigid panels while maintaining flexibility because of heflexible joints provided by flexible panels 90, 92.

FIG. 7 shows a side section view of the second preferred embodimentoversleeve 60 as defined by section line 40 in FIG. 5. As explainedabove, the stainless steel filament panels are adhered to rigid shellmembers. A the shell members are adhered to flexible panels 90, 91.

A third embodiment of an overlay sleeve, not shown, is constructed ofsoft cotton or poly blend material and can be used when polishing orbuffing metal or wood.

A fourth embodiment of an overlay sleeve, not shown, is constructed ofsolid scotcbrite type material, without use of that sponge material asdescribed in embodiment two.

A fifth embodiment, not shown of an overlay sleeve is constructed of aflexible fabric covered by a layer of sandpaper type material for use insanding wood, plastic or other rigid surface.

Although five specific embodiments have been described, it is understoodthat there may be other oversleeve member designs that fall within thescope of the present invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. a cleaning mitt system comprising: a main mitt; a plurality ofcleaning overlay sleeves; said main mitt having an identical front paneland rear panel to allow for left handed or right handed use; said frontand rear main mitt panels joined at their perimeter on three sidesleaving an opening at the bottom; said main mitt one portion fingers toreside and one portion thumb to reside; said main mitt constructed offlexible water resistant material; said main mitt including an innerlayer of moisture absorbent fabric; said main mitt including anti slipmembers adhered to both sides of said thumb portion; said cleaningoverlay sleeves each having an identical front panel and rear panel toallow for let handed or right handed use; and said cleaning overlaysleeves each having a cut away portion allowing said thumb portion ofsaid main mitt to extend through said cleaning overlay sleeves.
 2. Acleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first said cleaningoverlay sleeve includes a front and rear sponge panel and a secondaryscrubbing panel fixedly attached to the top front and rear portion ofsaid first cleaning overlay sleeve.
 3. A cleaning mitt system as claimedin claim 1 wherein a second said cleaning overlay sleeve includes afront and rear abrasive scrubbing panel
 4. A cleaning mitt system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a third said cleaning overlay sleeve includesa front and rear buffing and polishing panel
 5. A cleaning mitt systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein a fourth said cleaning overlay sleeveincludes at least one portion having a rigid substrait to support saidabrasive scrubbing panel
 6. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1wherein a fifth said cleaning overlay sleeve includes a front and rearsanding panel